Psychosocial effects of stigma on community connectedness among gay Arab Australian men
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12978293 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bernard Saliba (0000-0001-8752-4242, University of Technology Sydney, corresponding author), Melissa Kang (0000-0002-9438-2518, The University of Sydney), Limin Mao (0000-0003-0995-5789, UNSW Sydney), Garrett Prestage (0000-0003-3917-8992, UNSW Sydney), Mohamed A Hammoud (0000-0002-7952-7969, UNSW Sydney) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-23 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychology and Sexuality (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1941-9902 • E-ISSN: 1941-9899 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/19419899.2026.2642661 |
| OpenAlex | W7134251273 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 43 |
Gay Arab Australian men navigate complex intersections of cultural, religious, and sexual identities, negotiating their place within both Arab and LGBTQ+ communities. Despite increasing visibility, little research has explored the psychosocial meanings of belonging, exclusion, and safety across these contexts. This study draws on intersectionality and Minority Stress theories to examine how overlapping stigmas shape community connectedness and how individuals resist marginalisation through selective reconnection and resilience. Interviews were conducted with 11 participants in Sydney, Australia. Analysis revealed two overarching themes. The first, Intersecting Stigmas as Barriers to Connectedness, identified five forces that constrained participants’ ability to form connection: (1) cultural homophobia, (2) religious conservatism, (3) family expectations and community surveillance, (4) racialised sexual stereotypes, and (5) internalised shame and identity fragmentation. The second theme, Reclaiming Connection Through Safe Spaces, highlighted how participants connected through peer-led groups, queer-inclusive networks, and selective engagement with affirming cultural peers. Muslim and Christian participants reported similar struggles, suggesting that cultural, rather than religious, factors more strongly shaped experiences of stigma and connectedness. This study contributes to scholarship on sexual subcultures by illustrating how psychosocial wellbeing depends not just on LGBTQ+ inclusion but also on culturally grounded forms of safety, visibility, and connection.
Psychosocial · Shame · Social connectedness · Social stigma · Stigma (botany · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Mental Health Treatment and Access
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |